Last Modified: Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 8:05 a.m.

Mr. Farmer was born in Ware Shoals, SC on May 6, 1931, and was a son of the late Fletcher Johnston and Frances Amelia (Ashley) Farmer. He was the husband of Julia "Julie" Marie (Stockwell) Farmer and was first married to the late Patricia "Pat" (Bearden) Farmer.

He was a member of Holston Creek Baptist Church and the Men of Hope Sunday School Class. He was a retired detective with the Union City Police Dept. in Union, SC. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force for over 20 years and was an Air Policeman throughout the US and Vietnam retiring in 1971 with rank of MSGT. Mr. Farmer was a lifetime member of the D.A.V. and the American Legion in Spartanburg, SC.

Surviving in addition to his wife Julie, is a daughter, Diane Simmons and her husband Richard of Gaffney, SC; son, William Franklin "Frank" Farmer and his wife Delilah "Dee" of Sumter, SC; son, Michael Paul James of Spartanburg; daughter, Sharon James Easler and her husband Scott of Spartanburg; a brother, Rev. Gary R. Farmer and his wife Ruby of West Columbia, SC; eight grandchildren, James "Jay" Simmons (Maria), Johnathan Simmons (Betty), Ashley Lauer and Micah, Josiah, Julian Eli, and Silas James and Maegan Easler; and four great-grandchildren, Austin Bowen, and Cameron, Robbie, and Brian Simmons. He was predeceased by a brother, Grady Lane Farmer.

Funeral services will be held at Holston Creek Baptist Church at 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 24th, with Dr. Reggie Parker and Rev. Gary Farmer officiating. Interment will follow in Good Shepherd Memorial Park, 4164 Hwy. 9, Boiling Springs, SC with Full Military Honors by the Rutherford County Honor Guard.

The family will receive friends Saturday, March 23, 2013, from 6 to 8 PM at Seawright Funeral Home in Inman, SC.

The family is at the home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Holston Creek Baptist Church Building Fund, 311 Holston Creek Road, Inman, SC 29349.

An online guest register is available at: www.seawright-funeralhome.com.

<p>SPARTANBURG, SC-- Mr. Billy John Farmer, 81, of 301 Heath Lane, Apt. 2, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, March 21st, 2013, at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.</p><p>Mr. Farmer was born in Ware Shoals, SC on May 6, 1931, and was a son of the late Fletcher Johnston and Frances Amelia (Ashley) Farmer. He was the husband of Julia "Julie" Marie (Stockwell) Farmer and was first married to the late Patricia "Pat" (Bearden) Farmer.</p><p>He was a member of Holston Creek Baptist Church and the Men of Hope Sunday School Class. He was a retired detective with the Union City Police Dept. in Union, SC. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force for over 20 years and was an Air Policeman throughout the US and Vietnam retiring in 1971 with rank of MSGT. Mr. Farmer was a lifetime member of the D.A.V. and the American Legion in Spartanburg, SC.</p><p>Surviving in addition to his wife Julie, is a daughter, Diane Simmons and her husband Richard of Gaffney, SC; son, William Franklin "Frank" Farmer and his wife Delilah "Dee" of Sumter, SC; son, Michael Paul James of Spartanburg; daughter, Sharon James Easler and her husband Scott of Spartanburg; a brother, Rev. Gary R. Farmer and his wife Ruby of West Columbia, SC; eight grandchildren, James "Jay" Simmons (Maria), Johnathan Simmons (Betty), Ashley Lauer and Micah, Josiah, Julian Eli, and Silas James and Maegan Easler; and four great-grandchildren, Austin Bowen, and Cameron, Robbie, and Brian Simmons. He was predeceased by a brother, Grady Lane Farmer.</p><p>Funeral services will be held at Holston Creek Baptist Church at 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 24th, with Dr. Reggie Parker and Rev. Gary Farmer officiating. Interment will follow in Good Shepherd Memorial Park, 4164 Hwy. 9, Boiling Springs, SC with Full Military Honors by the Rutherford County Honor Guard.</p><p>The family will receive friends Saturday, March 23, 2013, from 6 to 8 PM at Seawright Funeral Home in Inman, SC.</p><p>The family is at the home.</p><p>In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Holston Creek Baptist Church Building Fund, 311 Holston Creek Road, Inman, SC 29349.</p><p>An online guest register is available at: www.seawright-funeralhome.com.</p><p>Seawright Funeral Home & Crematory</p>